Metanoia

Chapter 8

The Princesses

"Where the fuck is he?"

The maids simply stood frozen at the harsh snap of their kings voice. Said man had just abruptly ran into the kitchen, eyes of fire and fists clenched in frustration. Seeing their fear Namjoon paused to take a deep breath, not meaning to appear so hostile. He gave an apologetic half smile, which the kitchen staff accepted before continuing with their morning chores. The King sat at the small table in the corner and pinched the bridge of his nose. Moments later his adviser Seokjin ran in, breath heaving and his face washing over in relief that he'd found the King.

The King didn't greet the elder, without even facing him he just asked in a tense voice, "Please tell me you found him."

Seokjin shifted between his own feet, adjusting his tie, "I'm afraid not your Majesty."

The King groaned and dropped his head to the table, with the wave of his hand he sent the adviser away to search further. In the midst of his brooding, the king didn't notice his younger brother enter the room.

"You look like you're having fun," Jimin teased as he sat at the table, a warm cup of tea in his hands.

"Shut up Jimin, I'm not in the mood."

"Why? Whats got you all riled up?" the younger questioned, slowly sipping away at his morning brew. Unlike the other siblings, Jimin was rarely seen in any royal garments, instead he always wore some colourful and soft clothes under his doctors coat. Today's outfit was a warm orange shirt with light beige pants, comfy and free as he liked it.

Whereas Namjoon wore a fully buttoned up black dress shirt and matching black pants, lastly paired with some red and gold trimmings and accessories. It always amazed Jimin how his brothers didn't choke under their tightly buttoned shirts, but he supposed years of practice would help.

"Apparently the witch has gone missing. Jungkook couldn't find him this morning and no-one has seen him since."

Jimin chuckled softly forcing his older brother to lift his head from the table, "He's in the dragons nursery."

"We checked there already," Namjoon grumbled.

"I just came from the nursery, and I promise he was there." With that note Jimin stood up and placed a hand on the elders shoulder softly before leaving the kitchen to attend to his own duties.

The King rarely travelled to the dragon stables, let alone the nursery. The men and women of the stables and gardens all bowed their heads as the King walked through, both confused and shocked, but choosing not to say anything. He pushed through the heavy gates as he came closer to the nursery, the soft mewls and whines of the younger dragons became louder.

"Hoseok," he called the younger who stood outside one of the stalls, holding a cup of milky coffee, wearing his usual happy smile.

"Oh, good morning Namjoon-hyung," the younger greeted. Hoseok was one of the few permitted to call the King by his name rather than his title, probably because he was his brother in law. "What brings you out here? A rare sight to see a king in the stables."

"The witch?"

"Oh yes, he's with his dragon. I promised him he could see her every morning, it's also the only way we can get either of them to eat or take their medication." Hoseok refaced where he had been previously watching, Namjoons eyes also followed.

"You bratty baby!" The small witch erupted in fits of giggles as the dragon trapped him to the ground under her head, using her claw long tongue to messily lick up and down his face, tickling the small boy.